Ir"ri*ta*ble (?), a. [L. irritabilis: cf. F. irritable. See Irritate.]

1.

Capable of being irriated.

2.

Very susceptible of anger or passion; easily inflamed or exasperated; as, an irritable temper.

Vicious, old, and irritable. Tennyson.

3. Physiol.

Endowed with irritability; susceptible of irritation; capable of being excited to action by the application of certain stimuli.

4. Med.

Susceptible of irritation; unduly sensitive to irritants or stimuli. See Irritation, n., 3.

Syn. -- Excitable; irascible; touchy; fretful; peevish.

 

© Webster 1913.